Down South Delights Answers Our Wedding Catering Questions
Monday, February 20, 2012
We all like to eat—love of food is something that each of your wedding guests will share. A meal brings us together, much like a wedding itself, polished with a careful balance of uniqueness and tradition, two things catering boutique Down South Delights takes pride in.
Food is tasty but a large budget item. More times than not, it will be your largest wedding expense. As such, it impacts many areas of your wedding, from your budget to your guests' experience. Last week I spoke with Rita Rowland from Down South Delights and learned just how it impacts a wedding day in a variety of ways. Food offers something beautiful to your special day, but there are a few things you need to know, and there’s no better lady to tell you than Rita!
What should a couple factor into their wedding planning timeline from a catering perspective?
Yes, in terms of timeline, I always advise brides to first look at the most competitive dates. May, June, September, and October are prime wedding months, so if your wedding is going to fall within this slot, you need to find a caterer immediately after your venue is booked. When you book a venue, you will have a list of caterers that venue allows on the property. So even when you’re in the midst of finding a venue, if there’s a caterer you really want, you must make sure your desired venue is connected with that specific caterer.
What about budget? How does catering impact a wedding budget?
It’s important from the beginning that you share your budget with the catering company of your choice. The company you choose, along with the type of food as well as the amount of food determines how much of your budget will be devoted to catering. Don’t feel like you have to choose the most inexpensive option. Catering is something you can be selective about; you get what you pay for, and food is something your guests will remember. Venue and catering require the main chunk of a wedding’s budget for most brides.
Tasting Plates: (left) blanched green beans, red pepper hummus, artichoke chutney, lemon, cilantro, basil chiffonade, steamed potato dumpling, and (right) seared shrimp with cranberry chutney served on a bed of tri color sushi wraps.
How important is location when it comes to catering?
Look for a venue that has an area appropriate for catering—a spot that can be sanctioned off so that food preparation isn’t in the way of anything, preferably with the option of running water. If a venue doesn’t have this, the budget can be significantly stretched, especially when it comes to elaborate dinners, because you’re paying additional fees to create a proactive system for the food to be prepared and served. Also, thoroughly read every document you’re presented regarding venue and catering. Some places do all-inclusive pricing, while others require gratuity.
How does a couple's guest count influence on catering?
When finding a caterer, the couple needs to have an estimate of how many guests will attend their wedding. Down South Delights, for instance, typically requests a range, such as 150-200 people. This also impacts your budget, because oftentimes with caterers, the price per person decreases the higher the guest count climbs. Furthermore, some caterers aren’t capable of serving an enormous number of people, which could narrow your options if you’re planning on a ton of guests.
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Sweet potato biscuits filled with Virginia baked ham.
Does wedding style influence catering decisions?
Yes, absolutely, especially in regards to dinner versus hors d'oeuvres depending on what you prefer. Many people think hors d'oeuvres are always cheaper than having a dinner, which isn’t necessarily the case. In my experience, dinner is actually more cost-efficient, because hors d'oeuvres typically require more hands-on detail. With that being said, it’s important that you let your guests know what style of dining is included at your reception. Timing is everything. If the hour of the day leads your guests to expecting dinner, but they attend your reception only to discover a small amount of food, they’ll likely leave earlier than originally planned. You don’t want your guests to leave simply because they’re hungry. Really examine how long your guests will be involved in your day, and know that certain elements of a reception prolong the celebration, the main aspect being a bar. With a bar, you’re not only expecting guests to be there for hours, but you’re also establishing that there will be plenty of food. The bar option must mean plenty of food as well.
Drink buffet at a rehearsal dinner - photo by Dan Roberts.
Do you find that special diets influence catering?
Yes, this is increasingly becoming a major issue. I always tell brides never to change their menu for only a few. Simply have something special prepared. On the other hand, if half the guest list is vegetarian, you may want to look into making this the base of your menu. Most caterers, however, will accommodate your need and have something available for the specific diets present.
Do rising food costs impact catering?
Typically, yes. If a caterer can guarantee that rising food costs will not affect the price of your catering, jump on that. At Down South Delights, we always let customers know that there could be a 10-15% increase in food costs at any time. You need to create a bit of cushion in your wedding budget in case this occurs; instances like this are unexpected even for the caterer.
Rita also told me that she encourages brides to taste everything they can before deciding on a caterer; meet with as many people as you like! You can be picky about this. Food is something your guests will be talking about long after your wedding is over; choose something that they’ll rave about.
All photos courtesy Down South Delights, unless mentioned.
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Posted on February 20, 2012 |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Cakes & Food
